Observing Assistant
Full time Regular Employment at W. M. Keck Observatory
Category: Support Services
Location: Waimea
Open date: Friday, November 6, 2026
Closing date: Monday, November 30, 2026
Summary
Be the Eyes Behind the World's Most Powerful Telescopes
Ready for a career that's truly out of this world? The Observing Assistant provides observing support and oversees the safe operation of the observatory during night-time operations. If you have a passion for astronomy, a knack for technology, and the ability to stay sharp under the stars, we'd love to meet you.
As an Observing Assistant at W. M. Keck Observatory, you'll run the telescope and keep the night safe at 14,000 feet. You'll work alongside astronomers from around the globe to help them make the most of every clear night. You'll control cutting-edge equipment, guard the safety of the facility and its people, and take on engineering and service observing. You'll also help train the next generation of observing assistants.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in a physical science or two years technical or operations experience at an astronomical observatory. May consider bachelor’s degree education in lieu of work experience.
- Experience at an astronomical observatory
- Knowledge of astronomy and astronomical observing procedures
- Mechanical/electronic skills
- Computer literacy to adequately work with WMKO software tools
- Ability to work a flexible schedule to support astronomers in the night-time operation of instruments
- Ability to follow the safety and security requirements as set by the organization. Ability to identify and prevent potential safety hazards in the workplace
- Ability to follow the organization’s guidelines for reporting workplace injuries or safety violations
- Valid driver’s license and clean abstract
Additional Information
Why Choose W. M. Keck Observatory:
- Competitive starting salary
- Generous benefits package, including 4 weeks of annual paid vacation
- A robust 8% 403(b) employer contribution (with a 4% employee contribution)
- Tuition assistance for dependent children grades K-12 attending private school on Hawai’i Island
- Comprehensive, employer provided health insurance
About W. M. Keck Observatory
The W. M. Keck Observatory operates two 10-meter optical/infrared telescopes on the summit of Maunakea on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. The twin telescopes feature a suite of advanced instruments including imagers, multi-object spectrographs, high-resolution spectrographs, integral-field spectroscopy and a world-leading laser guide star adaptive optics system which cancels out much of the interference caused by Earth’s turbulent atmosphere. The Observatory is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and a scientific partnership of the California Institute of Technology, the University of California and NASA.
Website: keckobservatory.org
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